Resident Doctors Suspend Indefinite Strike After Signing MoU With Federal Government

In a development that comes as a major relief to patients across Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced the suspension of its indefinite strike, which had paralyzed services in 91 federal teaching hospitals nationwide.

The decision was reached following an Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on 29 November 2025 The strike, initially declared in early November, was called by NARD to protest against unresolved issues, including unpaid salary arrears, withheld allowances, promotion delays, and other professional grievances. The industrial action had brought hospital services in several states to a near standstill, leaving thousands of patients stranded and forcing critical cases to seek alternative care in private hospitals or face delays. According to NARD’s Secretary-General, the suspension of the strike followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government. The MoU spells out seven key demands that the government has committed to addressing within a four-week timeframe. NARD indicated that two of the demands have already been met, including the release of the Professional Allowance Table and directives concerning entry-level placement for resident doctors. The remaining five issues, which include the reinstatement of resident doctors dismissed from the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, payment of promotion and salary arrears, implementation of specialist allowances, recognition and issuance of postgraduate membership credentials, and other unresolved allowances, are expected to be fulfilled promptly. Failure to meet these conditions may trigger a resumption of strike action. The Federal Government welcomed the suspension, claiming that it had already addressed 19 out of 20 demands presented by the resident doctors. Officials highlighted that payments related to the 25–35% upward review of salaries under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and other allowances have already commenced via the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). President Bola Tinubu also directed the Ministry of Health to take urgent steps to ensure the full implementation of the MoU and the restoration of hospital services nationwide Health sector analysts described the suspension as a temporary but crucial step toward restoring normalcy in public hospitals. “The strike suspension gives the healthcare system a breathing space, but it is conditional,” said a senior health policy analyst. “The real test now is whether the government will meet its commitments within the stipulated timeline During the strike, critical hospital services, including emergency surgeries, outpatient consultations, and specialized treatments, were significantly affected. With over 11,000 resident doctors participating across the country, patients faced delayed treatments, extended hospital stays, and, in some cases, had to travel long distances to access private healthcare The leadership of NARD expressed optimism that the MoU would lead to a lasting resolution. “We are hopeful that the government will fully implement all aspects of the agreement. Our members have made significant sacrifices to ensure healthcare delivery, and we expect the government to reciprocate by fulfilling its promises,” the Secretary-General said. The suspension also comes amid growing pressure from other health professionals, including the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), which had publicly supported the resident doctors’ strike. With public opinion largely in favor of resolving the dispute, the Federal Government faces intense scrutiny over its handling of healthcare workers’ welfare. For patients, the suspension signals the gradual resumption of hospital services, though healthcare observers warn that full functionality depends on the government meeting all remaining demands. Families of patients in critical care remain cautious, noting that even minor delays in fulfilling the MoU could quickly escalate tensions within the health sector.